McIlroy says long break a chance to focus on health

NEW YORK - Rory McIlroy is "excited" at the prospect of a three-month break to focus on his health and his game, even though it means he'll miss the European Tour's season finale.

"I'm excited for it," McIlroy said Wednesday on the eve of the Northern Trust - the first of four tournaments in the US PGA Tour's FedEx Cup playoffs.

"To have three months where I can focus on myself, my health, my game and just improvement - I don't think I'm ever going to get a chance like this in my career again where I get this opportunity to take three months to re-evaluate things."

McIlroy continues to battle the after-effects of a broken rib suffered early in the season.

Although the rib has healed, he said a ligament where the rib attaches to his spine has "become quite lax" leading to inflammation in his back.

"It's something that I'm going to have to address," McIlroy said. "If I manage it over these next few weeks, I can't do any damage to it."